The wailing of the female ghosts continued, echoing endlessly.
"Men are all vile creatures. They deserve to die..."
A resentful woman's voice rang out, followed by a chorus of voices chanting, "Kill, kill, kill."
Justin Huang, don't touch that black liquid. Everyone, be careful!
I was still crying, covering my face, head bowed, my legs turned to the left—just like a heartbroken girl. I realized I couldn't control my body at all. Tears streamed down my cheeks, big and heavy.
Miles Mao suddenly drew his peachwood sword, slashing through the air. Then, with a hand gesture and a ritual chant, he grabbed a cinnabar-stained brush and began drawing on the ground, as if sketching some sort of formation.
A gust of cold wind swept by. Just as Miles Mao had drawn a few strokes, the red cinnabar on the ground was blown away. Dalton Fang sat cross-legged, prayer beads in hand, reciting Buddhist chants—but it had no effect at all.
Ethan Zhang, you look just like a girl right now. The spirit possessing you must be a real beauty—so feminine, I love it! Hahaha...
My cousin kept joking, but in my heart, I’d already cursed him a thousand times.
I kept sobbing. I wanted to break free from the ghost's grip, but I found it was impossible. My whole body was ice-cold, and the tears kept flowing.
The sound of crying grew louder—a chorus of wailing, miserable women.
"Wait, listen," my cousin said, pressing his hand to his ear, listening intently.
Howard Zhang, damn it, get over here! Let's meditate together. Aren't you Master Jianyun's disciple? Come on, recite the Pure Heart and Universal Kindness Mantra with me...
Dalton Fang spoke, but Howard Zhang just glanced at him sideways and shook his head.
"It's useless. Wait—do you hear that? There are men crying too! Damn, this ghost demon really has a twisted taste."
Sure enough, after my cousin pointed it out, the men's cries came from ahead to the left, growing clearer, but still drowned out by the women's wailing.
Suddenly, the cold wind intensified, and all the roots and vines around us blocked our way.
"Sisters, brothers, will you listen to your little sister for a moment?"
Rufina Howard called out urgently, but the crying only grew louder, and the roots and vines had completely surrounded us.
"It's those things," said Hugh Thompson. We all noticed—the crying came from the heart-shaped Heartleaves. Everyone covered their ears; I felt like my eardrums were about to burst.
Listen to me, sisters, brothers—if you have any grievances...
"Move aside, little girl," my cousin said, covering Rufina Howard's mouth. At the mention of 'grievance,' the crying grew even more piercing, and the heart-shaped leaves gradually transformed into human faces—beautiful women and handsome men.
Listen up, everyone. My name is Howard Zhang, and I am a man...
As soon as my cousin finished speaking, the mouths on those faces began to move, all shouting: Kill.
Cousin, please stop provoking them, I kept praying in my heart.
You are women, and I, Howard Zhang, am a man. What is a man, what is a woman? Think carefully. Today, no matter what grievances you have, no matter how much you hate men, let me tell you: men are a part of women's world. I, Howard Zhang, am your sky...
My heart skipped a beat. Everyone around stared at my cousin in confusion, eyes wide. Only Hugh Thompson smiled.
Strangely, I noticed the crying was gradually fading.
Ladies, gentlemen, stop crying. Crying, making a fuss, and threatening suicide won't work. Crying forever is useless, isn't it? I know you're in pain, but leave it to me, Howard Zhang. I'm a good man. The reason you're suffering is because you haven't met me yet. A good man never ignores a woman's tears. Now that I've seen them, I won't ignore them. So don't put on a long face—smile for me. A woman's best makeup is her smile...
My cousin finished in one breath, panting heavily. I almost wanted to hug and kiss him. My tears stopped, and I regained control of my body.
Listen up, ladies. That ghost demon is truly evil. Today, we're passing through here to destroy him, but we don't know his story. I hope you can tell me. I, Howard Zhang, promise to rescue all of you. As a man, it's my duty to save suffering women. Leave it to me. I, Howard Zhang, keep my word...
As he spoke, my cousin knelt on the ground and raised his right hand.
I, Howard Zhang, swear to the heavens: If I can't save you, I will fall into endless hell, never to be reborn. Or, you can devour me, and I'll come to the Wailing Maiden's Den myself, at your mercy...
The crying stopped. I looked on in surprise, regaining my freedom. The leaves that had turned into faces returned to their heart shape. I stood up, staring at my cousin in disbelief.
Everyone was completely convinced by my cousin's speech.
Then the roots and vines around us began to move, forming a green road to the left.
A beautiful woman has invited us to talk. What are you waiting for? Let's go!" my cousin said, rushing ahead.
Heh, Howard Zhang is a match for the ghost demon, but he's a thousand times better," said Hugh Thompson. We all nodded.
Now I finally understand why my cousin is so popular with women. Even the girls he broke up with never said a bad word about him. Even Su Su—I saw it myself—my cousin would go to any lengths for a woman. Once, he even ended up in the hospital.
(This chapter is not finished yet~.~ Please click the next page to continue reading!)